Compiled by Speakin’ Out News (SOURCE: AL.COM)
Parents in Limestone County are expressing frustration and concern over the recent decision by the Limestone County School Board to initiate redistricting. For Caleb Harrison, the impending changes to his children’s education weigh heavily on his mind. With the upcoming academic year, his daughter faces a transition to a different school, one situated farther from their residence and lacking the academic programs available at her current elementary school.
“We’re very, very frustrated,” Harrison expressed to AL.com following the school board meeting’s approval of Superintendent Randy Shearouse’s redistricting proposal by a 5-2 vote. Shearouse justified the necessity for redrawing district lines due to rapid population growth, particularly in East Limestone.
Harrison’s daughter, previously enrolled in the gifted program at Creekside Elementary School, finds herself slated to relocate to Johnson Elementary under the redistricting plan. However, Johnson Elementary does not offer the same gifted program, depriving her of familiar extracurricular activities and academic opportunities.
As parents voiced opposition to the redistricting, many highlighted concerns about their children being reassigned to schools with lower performance ratings according to the state’s school report card. Creekside, for instance, attained an A grade overall for the 2022-23 academic year, while Johnson Elementary and Tanner Elementary received B and C grades, respectively.
Anthony Hillard, one of the dissenting school board members, criticized the decision to shift students to what he termed “underperforming schools.” He emphasized the importance of maintaining educational standards and equitable opportunities for all students.
Ella Troupe, a concerned retiree, expressed apprehension regarding the impact on her nephews and niece, particularly one with a physical disability. With the redistricting, students from East Limestone High School face relocation to Tanner High, presenting logistical challenges for families reliant on school transportation services.
Ana Sanchez, another affected parent, lamented the logistical and financial strain imposed by the new attendance zones. Her daughter, a current fourth- grader at Creekside, faces relocation to Ardmore High School instead of progressing to East Limestone as initially planned. Additionally, her younger child, a kindergartner at Creekside, will now attend Johnson Elementary, significantly increasing commute times and expenses for the family.
The discontent among parents underscores broader concerns about the implications of redistricting on educational access, extracurricular participation, and family logistics in Limestone County.
